Chinese youth staying away from marriage, lowest number of marriages recorded in 39 years
Despite the government’s encouragement of young people in China to get married and have children, the marriage rate in the country reached a record low in 2024. Data released on Saturday also shows that the number of divorces in the country has increased. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, only 61 lakh couples registered their marriage last year.
20.5 percent decrease
A 20.5 percent decrease was recorded compared to the marriages in 2023. This is the lowest number since the ministry started recording the number of marriages in 1986. According to CNN, the decrease in marriages and births has created a serious challenge in China. The country is facing a decreasing number of workers and an increasing number of elderly people, due to which its economy is under pressure.
26 lakh couples filed for divorce
In 2013, China had the highest number of 1 crore 30 lakh marriages. Half of its marriages have taken place in 2024. According to data released on Saturday, 26 lakh couples filed for divorce last year. There has been an increase of 28000 in such cases compared to the previous year. Despite all the criticism, a mandatory ‘cooling-off’ period of 30 days is in force for couples filing for divorce in China from 2021.
Population fell for the third consecutive year
Despite a slight increase in the birth rate last year, China’s population declined for the third consecutive year. The working age population between 16 and 59 years has declined by 68 lakh 30 thousand in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of people aged 60 years and above continued to increase. People of this age group constitute 22 percent of the total population.
